PRIVACY POLICY

Your privacy is very important to us.

The HLS follows strict privacy and data protection measures to ensure that your personal information is kept safe, confidential, and secure at all times.

We are committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring it is used only for scientific research that aligns with the goals of the Healthpath study and the consent you provide.

Who is conducting this research?

  • Principal researcher: Martijn Huisman, Amsterdam UMC

  • Study funded by: ZonMW (Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development)

  • Ethical approval number: [Number]

  • Study period: [Start date] to [End date]

What is the purpose of this study?

We want to understand how people aged 60-66 experience their path toward retirement, and what helps them stay healthy and continue working until retirement.

What Personal Information Do We Collect?

From the questionnaire:

  • Your age, gender, and family situation

  • Information about your work and workplace

  • Your health and well-being

  • Your thoughts about retirement

  • Your income and financial situation

If you provide permission, from Statistics Netherlands (CBS):

  • Healthcare usage records

  • Employment history

  • Household income data

  • This helps us get a complete picture without making the questionnaire too long

Technical information:

  • How long it took you to complete the questionnaire

  • Which device you used (computer, tablet, phone)

 What does this mean for you?

  • Participation is completely voluntary

  • You can withdraw your consent at any time

  • Your data will only be used for scientific research purposes

How We Protect Your Privacy?

1. Immediate Protection

  • Unique code system: As soon as you submit your questionnaire, we assign you a unique study number (like "HP2025-0157")

  • Name separation: Your name and contact details are stored separately from your answers

  • Secure storage: All data is stored on secure, encrypted servers at Amsterdam UMC

2. During Analysis

  • Anonymous analysis: Researchers analyzing the data only see study numbers, never names

  • No identification possible: Individual participants cannot be identified in any analysis

  • Secure access: Only authorized research team members can access the data

3. In Publications

  • Group results only: We only report results for groups of people (e.g., "60% of participants said...")

  • No individual stories: We never publish information about specific individuals

  • Statistical summaries: All publications use anonymous statistical summaries

How Long Do We Keep Your Data?

Your survey answers:

  • 10 years after study completion (required by Dutch research standards)

  • Stored securely at Amsterdam UMC

Your name and contact details:

  • 3 years after study completion (in case you have questions)

  • Then permanently deleted

After these periods:

  • All personal data is permanently deleted

  • Only anonymous statistical summaries may be kept for scientific records

 

Your Rights Under Dutch Data Protection Law (AVG/GDPR)

You have the right to:

1. Access your data

  • Request a copy of all personal data we have about you

  • Understand how your data is being used

2. Correct your data

  • Ask us to fix any incorrect information

  • Add missing information if needed

3. Delete your data

  • Request complete deletion of your personal data

  • This ends your participation in the study

4. Restrict processing

  • Ask us to temporarily stop using your data while investigating a concern

  • Your data stays secure but isn't used for analysis

5. Data portability

  • Receive your data in a commonly used format

  • Transfer your data to another organization (if applicable)

6. Object to processing

  • Object to how we process your data

  • We'll stop processing the data in case of objections

Future Research - Completely Optional

Follow-up studies:

We plan two follow-up questionnaires:

  • 18 months after your first questionnaire

  • 36 months after your first questionnaire

Your choice:

  • Completely optional - you can say no and still participate in the current study

  • Can change your mind - you can withdraw from future contact at any time

Withdrawing Your Consent

You can stop participating at any time by:

  • Emailing us at: [email address]

  • Calling us at: [phone number]

  • Writing to us at: [postal address]

What happens when you withdraw:

Immediately:

  • No new data collection

  • Your contact details are removed from future mailings

  • You won't be contacted for our follow-up studies (unless you specifically requested updates)

For data already collected:

  • Anonymous data: If your data has already been made anonymous and used in analysis, it cannot be removed (this protects research integrity)

  • Identifiable data: Any data that can still identify you will be deleted

  • Publications: Data already in published papers cannot be removed, but no new use of your data will occur

No penalties:

  • There are no negative consequences for withdrawing

Data Security Measures

Technical protections:

  • Encryption: All data encrypted during storage and transfer

  • Access controls: Only authorized researchers can access data

  • Secure servers: Data stored on Amsterdam UMC's secure systems

 Your Questions and Complaints

Questions about the study:

Healthpath Research Team

  • Email: [study email]

  • Phone: [study phone]

  • Address: [study address] 

Summary: Your Privacy in Simple Terms

Your information is safe: We use strong security measures

You stay anonymous: Nobody can identify you from the research results

You're in control: You can withdraw at any time

Help available: Contact us with any questions

Remember: Your participation is completely voluntary and all your personal information will be kept strictly confidential.